Negotiation of a new EU‑Moldova cooperation agreement
16.7.2008
WRITTEN QUESTION E-4290/08
by Maria Petre (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission
As a member of the EU‑Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, I support the efforts being made by Moldova and welcome the unmistakable progress it has made along its chosen path towards Europe.
However, in view of certain trends which have recently become increasingly frequent, including undemocratic electoral legislation (for example, amendments to the Electoral Code regarding electoral threshold and the prohibition of alliances), arbitrary clampdowns by the state institutions against young people freely expressing their opinions or associations seeking to uphold the rights of pensioners, can the Commission provide the following information:
- —Will it seek specific actions and guarantees from the Chişinău authorities concerning genuine respect for freedom of expression and action by individuals in accordance with European standards and the commitments contained in the previous cooperation agreement?
- —To what extent does it consider that the commencement of negotiations for renewal of the cooperation agreement may depend on guarantees given by the Chişinău authorities regarding the strengthening of the rule of law, increased powers and independence for the judiciary and genuine and total respect for freedom of speech and action in Moldova?
- —Can it say whether, in this way, it is possible to encourage the progress and reform awaited by the citizens of this country?
OJ C 40, 18/02/2009